Wolf spiders and brown recluse spiders both have venom, but they differ a lot in how dangerous they are – and importantly, brown recluses are extremely rare in the Pacific Northwest. Wolf spiders are common here (those big, fast brown spiders you might see scurrying on the ground or in a garage). They do have venom to subdue their insect prey, but for people or pets a wolf spider bite is usually harmless. At most, it might feel like a minor bee sting with some redness or mild swelling. Wolf spiders are not aggressive and typically will only bite if you accidentally grab or pinch one. Brown recluses, on the other hand, are notoriously venomous in their native regions (mostly the Midwest and Southern U.S.). A brown recluse bite can cause a serious wound with tissue damage (necrosis) that definitely needs medical attention. The good news for us in Oregon and Washington is that true brown recluse spiders don’t live here in any significant numbers – finding one is extremely uncommon, and usually only if it hitchhiked in someone’s luggage or a shipment from out of state. So the odds of ever encountering a brown recluse in the PNW are very slim. If you do get a mysterious spider bite around here, it’s almost never from a recluse. Bottom line: wolf spiders look scary but aren’t a serious threat, and brown recluses have dangerous venom but thankfully aren’t native to our region.

If you’d prefer not to use chemicals, there are plenty of natural strategies to minimize spiders in your home. Start with housekeeping steps: regularly vacuum up cobwebs and egg sacs whenever you see them (in corners, ceiling edges, basements, etc.). By removing their webs, you discourage spiders from sticking around or returning to those spots. Next, try a natural repellent like peppermint oil. Spiders seem to dislike the smell – you can mix 10–15 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle of water and spritz it along window sills, door frames, and other entry points. It leaves a fresh scent and can help keep spiders away. Also, sealing cracks and gaps is key: use caulk or weatherstripping to close off the little nooks and crannies that spiders (and the insects they chase) might sneak through. Reducing the outdoor insect population around your house will also naturally deter spiders – for example, using yellow “bug lights” outdoors attracts fewer flying insects (so fewer spiders follow). Keeping your home generally clean and clutter-free, especially in closets, basements, and garages, will limit hiding places for spiders. These natural steps go a long way to making your home less appealing to spiders without any need for harsh chemicals.

Most spider bites leave a small, red, pimple-like bump – maybe with two tiny puncture dots from the fangs. It might itch or feel like a mild bee sting. You can treat it by washing the area with soap and water, then applying a cold pack to reduce swelling. An over-the-counter anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone can help with any itchiness, and an antibiotic ointment will keep it clean if the skin is broken. Usually, the redness and irritation go away in a couple of days without issue. If the bite gets worse instead of better – for instance, if it becomes very painful, spreads, or you develop fever or muscle cramps – then it’s time to see a doctor. (That can happen with the rare black widow bite, for example, which needs medical attention.) But the vast majority of everyday spider bites heal up with basic first aid and a bit of patience.

Spiders are arachnids, which means they always have eight legs – that’s one easy way to tell them apart from insects (which have six legs). As for eyes, most spiders have eight eyes, but not all do. It actually varies by species: many common spiders (like jumping spiders, wolf spiders, and house spiders) have eight eyes arranged in specific patterns. Some spiders have fewer – for example, the brown recluse has six eyes instead of eight, arranged in three pairs. There are even cave-dwelling spiders that have no functional eyes at all because they live in total darkness. Despite all those eyes, most spiders don’t see very well – they usually just detect shadows and movement. Only certain hunting spiders like jumping spiders have really sharp vision. Overall, the spider blueprint is simple: eight legs and usually eight eyes (with a few exceptions depending on the species).

Figuring out what kind of spider you have starts with a good look at its appearance and behavior. Take note of its size, color, and any markings. A big, brown hairy spider running on the floor is likely a wolf spider or giant house spider (both harmless), while a skinny, long-legged spider in a corner web is probably a cellar spider (also harmless). A shiny black spider with a red hourglass marking on the belly is a black widow (uncommon indoors here, but venomous), and a brown spider with a violin-shaped marking is a brown recluse (extremely rare in the Pacific NW). Also, consider where and how it’s living: web builders stay in their webs, while hunting spiders like jumping spiders or wolf spiders wander around. If you’re not sure, you can compare it to photos of common Oregon/Washington spiders in a reputable guide or ask a professional. In our region, the majority of spiders you find at home are not dangerous. When in doubt, it’s always fine to have an expert identify it – we often help homeowners figure out friendly house spiders versus the few that need caution.

• Giant house spider: A large brown spider often seen darting indoors (especially in basements or tubs). It may startle you by its size, but it’s harmless and actually preys on other pests.
• Cellar spider (daddy longlegs): A very thin, long-legged spider found hanging in corners and garages. These are extremely common and completely harmless.
• Hobo spider: A brown funnel-web spider that lives around basements, foundations, and woodpiles. It’s moderately common in and around homes. This spider had a scary reputation in the past, but research suggests its bite isn’t seriously harmful to people.
• Black widow: Not widespread in most of western Oregon/Washington, but present in some drier or more sheltered areas (and more common in eastern Washington). It’s shiny black with a red hourglass underneath. This is one of the few spiders here that is dangerous to humans – their bite is venomous, so use caution if you ever come across one in a shed or garage.

Most of the other spiders you’ll encounter in Oregon and Washington homes are small house spiders or garden orb-weavers, which might be a nuisance but are not dangerous at all. They’re a normal part of the local ecosystem and often end up indoors by accident.